Discover How Your Coffee Routine Impacts Heart Health and Longevity

For many, the daily ritual of coffee consumption is dictated by convenience and necessity. However, recent research suggests that the timing and location of your coffee intake might have significant implications for heart health and longevity.

A study published in the European Heart Journal explored how the timing of coffee consumption among U.S. adults influences mortality rates. The research, which spanned approximately 9.8 years and involved data from around 42,000 participants, identified two primary patterns: morning coffee drinkers (34 percent) and those who consume coffee throughout the day (14 percent).

The findings were intriguing. Morning coffee drinkers were associated with a 16 percent lower risk of all-cause mortality. Furthermore, the study indicated that higher coffee intake in the morning further decreased this risk, a benefit not observed in those who drank coffee all day.

Study author Lu Qi, from Tulane University, explained to PsyPost, “Coffee drinking may affect circadian rhythm-related behaviors such as sleeping and hormones such as melatonin and cortisol, which are relevant to health.” This suggests that afternoon or evening coffee consumption could disrupt melatonin production, which is crucial for regulating sleep. PsyPost highlighted that disrupted circadian rhythms have been linked to increased blood pressure, inflammation, and a higher risk of heart disease.

The study also noted that coffee contains compounds that can lower inflammation, which is a contributor to various diseases. Since inflammatory markers tend to peak in the morning, consuming coffee at this time might be particularly advantageous.

However, it’s important to note the study’s limitations. As an observational study, it could not establish a direct cause-and-effect relationship. Additionally, participants self-reported their coffee habits, which could introduce inaccuracies. The researchers acknowledged that morning coffee drinkers might generally lead healthier lifestyles, necessitating further research.

Another study, published in Nutrition, Metabolism & Cardiovascular Diseases, examined the impact of brewing methods on coffee’s health effects, specifically in Swedish workplaces. This study focused on diterpenes, compounds in coffee that can elevate LDL cholesterol, often referred to as “bad” cholesterol.

The research revealed that coffee brewed in workplace machines, particularly those using metal filters or no filters at all, had higher diterpene levels compared to paper-filtered coffee. “Considering how much coffee is consumed in Swedish workplaces, we wanted to get a picture of the content of cholesterol-elevating substances in coffee from these types of machines,” said David Iggman of Uppsala University, as reported by SciTechDaily.

Iggman further explained, “From this we infer that the filtering process is crucial for the presence of these cholesterol-elevating substances in coffee.” The study suggested that using paper filters could significantly reduce LDL cholesterol levels, potentially lowering the risk of atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease by 13 percent over five years and 36 percent over 40 years, according to Science Alert.

While more research is necessary, Iggman concluded, “For people who drink a lot of coffee every day, it’s clear that drip-filter coffee, or other well-filtered coffee, is preferable.”

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